The New England Health Institute has released a new report calling on public and private policymakers to adopt six “priorities for action” to improve the way patients take their prescription medicines across the US.
NEHI has created six “priorities for action” to improve the way patients take their prescription medicines across the US. They are:
1) Promote sharing of best practices and lessons learned from pilots of new medication management techniques
2) Support large-scale implementation of promising, evidence-based “tactics” for improved medication management
3) Continue development of metrics of medication use that will spur adoption of proven medication management strategies
4) Support continued rapid adoption of electronic prescribing and electronic medical records with capabilities that support evidence-based interventions for improved adherence
5) Continue to improve Medication Therapy Management services in Medicare Part D including improvements in program services and targeting; consider wider adoption of medication management by other health care payers
6) Integrate medication adherence research, policy development and advocacy with broader efforts that aim to improve use of medicines, including those focused on patient safety
The report concludes:
Proponents of better patient adherence should rally behind a comprehensive vision of good medication use that encompasses interventions to promote adherence, and promote a vigorous agenda for policy change that will create incentives for proven adherence interventions.
Words to the wise.
